Green onion: useful properties, vitamins, calories
Green onion: useful properties, vitamins, calories
Anonim

Green onions have long been known to people as a source of vitamins, available all year round. This culture came to us from distant countries - the modern territories of Afghanistan and Iran. And today we cannot imagine a single garden plot and a festive table without it. What are the benefits of green onions for the human body? How to store and grow it properly? You will find answers to these and many other questions in our article.

Origin

Botanically, green onions are a type of leaf. How do they appear? To understand this, let's first remember the structure of such a modification of the shoot as the bulb. It has a flat stem, which is called the bottom. It develops buds, a bunch of adventitious roots and leaves. The latter are represented by three types. The first - juicy and fleshy. They contain a supply of water and nutrients that ensure their viability in an unfavorable period. Dry membranous protect succulent leaves from mechanical damage and moisture loss. Green onions are young leaves. Therefore, they are leaders in the content of useful minerals.

green leek
green leek

Species diversity

Several species of this plant are used to grow green onions. The most common is onion. It is grown for both fleshy bulbs and young feathers. This species is unpretentious, so it is easy to grow in a greenhouse, open field and even on a windowsill.

The next species is the leek. He is devoid of a bulb. The thick stalk of the leek is mainly eaten, since the green leaves are quite tough. Another feature of this species is that as it is stored, the content of vitamin C in it increases significantly. The leader in the content of this substance is the onion. It has twice the amount of this vitamin than other types. And the slime onion, which tastes like garlic, is also rich in iron.

green onion properties
green onion properties

Growing conditions

Fresh green onions are in demand throughout the year. The most succulent feathers are obtained by growing this plant in open ground. To get a harvest in early May, the bulbs need to be planted in the soil in the fall before the start of frost. During this time, they will have time to take root.

The bulbs are placed in loose soil so that the distance between them is at least 15 cm. During this period, manure, compost, potash and phosphate fertilizers must be added to the soil.

When the soil starts to freeze, it needs to be insulated. To do this, the bulbs are covered on top with humus, manure, straw or peat. When the snow melts, this layer is removed, and the bed is covered with a greenhouse. Hemust let in sunlight and keep warm. Therefore, caring for a ground onion is quite simple. The soil must be loosened, watered as it dries, fertilized with substances containing nitrogen.

If the planting material starts to germinate in the spring, green feathers will appear only at the beginning of summer. In order for the harvest to be good, large bulbs must be selected for planting without damage.

chopped green onion
chopped green onion

Chive on the windowsill

For growing at home, small bulbs are suitable as planting material - about 2 cm. The soil is placed in small boxes. Bulbs should not be buried, as this will lead to decay. The distance between them should be 3 - 4 cm.

The boxes are stored in a warm place for the first week. When green leaves begin to appear, plants should be placed on a windowsill or other sunny spot. Only in this case, the feathers will be fragrant and tasty. Water the onions in about two days. To prevent the growth of young leaves, only the outer feathers need to be cut.

The benefits of home-grown green onions are just as good as those grown in the ground. Of course, it is not so juicy, but you can have it on your table all year round. So growing green onions on a windowsill is a worthwhile endeavor.

fresh green onion
fresh green onion

What is the use of green onions for the human body

Regular use of this product has a positive effect on the work of many organ systems. First of all, it is musculoskeletal, immune and cardiovascular.

What vitamins in green onions are responsible for its benefits? Since this product is rich in vitamins C and K, its consumption promotes bone growth.

Green onions have a beneficial effect on skin condition and vision. Vitamin A contained in it is a necessary condition for the synthesis of rhodopsin. This substance activates the eye receptors that react to light. In the case of a lack of vitamin A, a disease called "night blindness" or hemeralopia is observed. At the same time, a person sees poorly in twilight lighting.

Green onion is known as an antioxidant. So called substances that can bind free radicals and toxins in the body. Scientists have found that green onion flavonoids strengthen the immune system, reduce the risk of cancerous tumors. And the high content of plant fibers and low calorie content make this product indispensable for normalizing digestion and improving appetite.

B vitamins are involved in the processes of hematopoiesis, wound healing, restoration of the brain, cardiovascular system and gastrointestinal tract.

Unlike the succulent bulb leaves, green feathers contain chlorophyll. Therefore, it increases the iron content in the blood, and hence gas exchange.

Enemy of viruses

Green onions are indispensable for the prevention of colds. Ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, ensures the normal functioning of connective tissue. This substance is not synthesized in the body,and comes only with plant foods.

Scientists have found that green onions have twice as much of it as oranges. The mechanism of action of vitamin C is based on the inhibition of the action of mediators that cause inflammatory and allergic processes. In this case, the synthesis of antibodies and interferon is accelerated. All this significantly increases the resistance of the immune system to the negative effects of pathogens.

green onion shoots
green onion shoots

Chemical composition

Carbohydrates - starch, mono - and disaccharides predominate from organic substances in green feathers. The protein in it is almost three times less, and the fat content is negligible. Among the mineral substances, water occupies a leading place. 100 g of the product contains 93 g. It contains a large number of ions of macro- and microelements. The first group includes calcium, potassium, chlorine, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium and sulfur. Of the trace elements in green onions, iron, copper, zinc, manganese, chromium and molybdenum are contained.

It is worth adding a few more to the already listed vitamins. For example, nicotinic acid. This substance is also called vitamin PP. It is essential for the implementation of carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism. And vitamin K regulates the processes of calcium binding, and hence blood clotting.

culinary dishes using green onions
culinary dishes using green onions

Vitamins all year round

Green onions are a universal source of nutrients. Traditionally, it is consumed fresh, adding to vegetable dishes, fish or meat. The calorie content of green onions is small - only 19 kilocalories per 100 g of fresh feathers.

Onions are not only easy to grow, but also easy to store. Most often this is done by freezing. But onions can also be s alted, pickled and canned. True, after such processing, it will only be suitable for adding to various dishes.

Feathers are washed under running water, dried and ground. You can fry onion slices before freezing. Then you can immediately add it to the finished dish. Since vegetable oil is added during heat treatment, the calorie content in this case is up to 250 kcal.

Frozen onions are best stored in a separate food container or bag with ties. But if you put all the crushed feathers there at once, this mass will “take up in a lump”. Therefore, you first need to spread the onion cubes in a thin layer on a flat surface and freeze. And already in this form, place in containers for further storage in the freezer.

green onion decorations
green onion decorations

Everything is good in moderation

As you can see, green onions contain a large number of chemical elements and substances. They regulate vital processes. And the low calorie content of green onions makes it possible to use it with any diet. But people with certain types of diseases should be wary of this product. These include: dysfunction of the kidneys, liver, biliary tract, gastritis and hyperacidity. This restriction should be especially adhered to during an exacerbation.

Sogreen onions are a versatile source of vitamins and minerals available throughout the year. A person uses this product in cooking, cosmetology and traditional medicine.

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